'No loss of enthusiam': NAFA keynote touts resilience

April 30, 2025

Stellantis SVP Jeffrey Kommor shared a corporate journey through multiple challenges, including bankruptcy, the loss of key leadership, and the global pandemic.

Kevin Jones

LONG BEACH, California—NAFA Fleet Management Association on Tuesday wrapped up the highly anticipated General Session at its 2025 Institute & Expo here, featuring an insightful industry update from Jeffrey Kommor, senior vice president of U.S. sales at Stellantis North America, followed by a dynamic OEM Panel Discussion with fleet leaders from GM Envolve, Stellantis, and Ford Pro.

“Today’s General Session provided invaluable perspectives for fleet professionals navigating the rapidly evolving industry,” said Bill Schankel, CAE, CEO of NAFA. “The discussions, from Jeffrey Kommor’s keynote to the engaging OEM Panel, offered attendees critical insights into building strong relationships, mitigating risks, tariffs, and the future of electrification. I&E 2025 continues to prove its importance as a key event for those looking to stay at the forefront of the fleet industry.”

In his keynote address titled "An Industry Update: Driving the Future of Fleet," Kommor offered attendees valuable insights on the importance of fostering strong relationships—encouraging fleets to connect with their OEM representatives to explore how they can support operational goals.

Kommor, a veteran of 25 different roles at Stellantis, began by acknowledging the complex landscape facing fleet professionals, highlighting a recent survey naming rising costs, budget constraints, driver safety, and the ongoing push for electrification as key concerns. The survey also revealed 60% of fleet managers find their jobs more challenging than ever.

“No doubt, I can certainly identify with that,” he said. “And I bet if we look hard enough at both us, the OEM, and you, as a fleet professional, we face similar challenges. So how do we take them on? You've heard the question on how to eat an elephant. Well, you eat it one bite at a time.”

'No loss of enthusiasm'

The core of Kommor's message centered on goal-setting and adaptability.

“How many of you are doing more with less? Does your day-to-day problem prevent you from being strategic?” he said. “One of your goals would be to set aside time each week to think and plan. So set the goals, make them realistic, make a plan to accomplish them, and then get ready for the adversity.”

Drawing from personal experience, Kommor shared a corporate journey through multiple challenges, including bankruptcy, the loss of key leadership, and the global pandemic. He positioned these experiences as opportunities for growth rather than insurmountable setbacks.

Quoting Winston Churchill, Kommor emphasized that success is "stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm." This perspective reframes challenges as opportunities for growth and continuous improvement.

The keynote concluded with a call to action for fleet professionals to network, learn from one another, and approach their work with resilience and creativity.

For more information about NAFA and upcoming events, please visit www.nafa.org.

About the Author

Kevin Jones | Editor

Kevin has served as editor-in-chief of Trailer/Body Builders magazine since 2017—just the third editor in the magazine’s 60 years. He is also editorial director for Endeavor Business Media’s Commercial Vehicle group, which includes FleetOwner, Bulk Transporter, Refrigerated Transporter, American Trucker, and Fleet Maintenance magazines and websites.

Working from Beaufort, S.C., Kevin has covered trucking and manufacturing for nearly 20 years. His writing and commentary about the trucking industry and, previously, business and government, has been recognized with numerous state, regional, and national journalism awards.